1
志八十七
Treatise 87
2
選舉七
Selection and Examinations 7
3
捐納
Purchase of Offices
4
清制，入官重正途。 自捐例開，官吏乃以資進。 其始固以蒐羅異途人才，補科目所不及，中葉而後，名器不尊，登進乃濫，仕途因之殽雜矣。 捐例不外拯荒、河工、軍需三者，曰暫行事例，期滿或事竣即停，而現行事例則否。 捐途文職小京官至郎中，未入流至道員； 武職千、把總至參將。 而職官並得捐升，改捐，降捐，捐選補各項班次、分髮指省、翎銜、封典、加級、紀錄。 此外降革留任、離任，原銜、原資、原翎得捐復，坐補原缺。 試俸、歷俸、實授、保舉、試用、離任引見、投供、驗看、迴避得捐免。 平民得捐貢監、封典、職銜。 大抵貢監、銜封、加級、紀錄無關銓政者，屬現行事例，餘屬暫行事例。
Under the Qing system, entry into official service prized the regular examination route. Once purchase-of-office regulations were instituted, officials advanced by paying money. At first the system was meant to recruit talent from irregular channels and fill gaps the examinations could not; by the mid-dynasty prestigious ranks had lost their dignity, promotions had become indiscriminate, and the official career path grew increasingly muddled. Contribution regulations fell into three kinds—famine relief, river works, and military supplies—called temporary regulations, which ceased when the term expired or the project ended; standing regulations did not. On the civil contribution route, ranks ran from junior capital officials up to directors, and from posts below the regular grades up to circuit intendants; for military offices, from platoon and company commanders up to brigade commanders. Incumbent officials could also purchase promotion, change or downgrade their contribution category, fill various selection quotas, obtain assignment to a designated province, plumes and insignia, enfeoffment titles, grade increases, and merit records. Officials demoted or dismissed but retained in post, or who had left office, could also restore their former rank, seniority, or insignia by contribution and resume their original appointments. Probationary salary, seniority increments, substantive appointment, recommendation, probation, farewell audiences, reporting for duty, inspection, and avoidance requirements could all be waived by contribution. Commoners could purchase tribute-student or Imperial Academy status, enfeoffment titles, and nominal ranks. Generally, tribute and academy students, insignia, enfeoffment, grade increases, and merit records that did not affect appointment administration fell under standing regulations; everything else fell under temporary regulations.
5
歷代捐例，時有變更，惟捐納官不得分吏、禮部，道、府非由曾任實缺正印官，捐納僅授簡缺，則著為令。 銓補則新捐班次視舊班為優，此通例也。 捐事戶部捐納房主之，收捐或由外省，或由部庫，或省、部均得報捐。 咸豐後，並由京銅局。
Contribution regulations changed from reign to reign, but certain rules held firm: purchased officials could not be posted to the Ministries of Personnel or Rites; circuit and prefectural posts went only to former substantive appointees in chief posts, while others received only minor vacancies through purchase. In selection and supplementary appointment, new contribution quotas took precedence over older ones—this was the standing rule. The Ministry of Revenue's Contribution Office administered purchase-of-office affairs; funds might be collected in the provinces, at the ministry treasury, or reported to either level. After the Xianfeng era, the Beijing Copper Bureau also handled collections.
6
凡報捐者曰官生，部予以據，曰執照。 貢監並給國子監照。 俊秀納貢監或職銜，貢監納職銜，由原籍地方官查具身家清白冊，季報或歲報。 納職官者，查明有無違礙，取具族鄰甘結，依限造報。 逾限或查報不實，罪之。 其大略也。
Anyone who reported a contribution was termed a contributor candidate; the ministry issued a certificate called a license. Tribute and academy students also received Imperial Academy credentials. Genteel youths purchasing tribute or academy status or nominal rank, and students purchasing nominal rank, required their home-district officials to compile registers attesting to family background and good character, filed quarterly or annually. Those purchasing official posts had disqualifying factors investigated and submitted sworn statements from clan and neighbors, with reports filed by deadline. Missing deadlines or filing false reports was punishable. Such was the general outline.
7
文官捐始康熙十三年，以用兵三籓，軍需孔亟，暫開事例。 十六年，左都御史宋德宜言：「開例三載，知縣捐至五百餘人。 始因缺多易得，踴躍爭趨。 今見非數年不克選授，徘徊觀望。 宜限期停止，俾輸捐恐後。 既有濟軍需，亦慎重名器。」 帝納其言。 滇南收復，捐例停。 嗣以西安、大同飢，又永定河工，復開事例。 五十一年，增置通州倉廒，科臣有請開捐者，廷議如所請。 侍郎王掞抗疏言：「鄉里童騃，一旦捐資，儼然民上。 或分一縣之符，或擁一道之節，不惟濫傷名器，抑且為累地方。 宜禁止，以塞僥倖之路，杜言利之門。」 帝韙之，為飭九卿再議。 青海用兵，饋餉不繼，內大臣議停各途守選及遷補，專用捐資助餉者。 刑部尚書張廷樞言； 「惟捐納所分員缺可用捐員，正途及遷補者宜仍舊。」 從之。
Civil-office purchases began in Kangxi 13 (1674), when war against the Three Feudatories created desperate need for military funds and temporary regulations were opened. In Kangxi 16 (1677), Left Censor-in-Chief Song Deyi said: "Regulations have been open three years, and more than five hundred district magistrates have been purchased. At first vacancies were plentiful and easy to obtain, so contributors rushed to compete. Now they see that appointment takes years, and they hang back in hesitation. A deadline for closing should be set, so that latecomers fear missing their chance to contribute. This would meet military needs while safeguarding the dignity of official ranks." The emperor accepted his advice. When Yunnan was recovered, purchase regulations were halted. Later famine in Xi'an and Datong and works on the Yongding River led to reopening the regulations. In Kangxi 51 (1712), when Tongzhou granaries were to be expanded, a censor requested opening contributions, and the court approved. Vice Minister Wang Yan submitted a forceful memorial: "Country simpletons who pay once suddenly stand above the people they govern. Some hold a county seal, others wield a circuit's authority—this not only debases prestigious ranks but burdens the regions they govern. It should be forbidden, to block opportunism and shut the door to profiteering." The emperor approved and ordered the Nine Ministers to reconsider. During the Qinghai campaign, when supplies ran short, inner ministers proposed suspending normal selection and transfers and relying solely on contributors to fund the army. Minister of Justice Zhang Tingshu said: "Only posts reserved for purchased officials should use contributors; regular-route and transfer appointees should remain unchanged." The proposal was adopted.
8
雍正二年，開阿爾台運米事例。 五年，直隸水災，議興營田，從大學士硃軾請，開營田事例。 雲貴總督鄂爾泰以滇、黔墾荒，經費無著，請開捐如營田例。 帝曰：「墾田事例，於地方有裨益。 向因各捐例人多。 難於銓選，降旨停止。 年來捐納應用之人，將次用完，越數年，必致無捐納之人，而專用科目矣。 應酌添捐納事款。 除道、府、同知不許捐納，其通判、知州、知縣及州同、縣丞等，酌議准捐。」 下九卿議行。 十二年，開豫籌糧運例。
In Yongzheng 2 (1724), the Altai grain-transport purchase regulations were opened. In Yongzheng 5 (1727), floods struck Zhili; following Grand Secretary Zhu Shi's request, colonization-farming purchase regulations were opened. Yunnan-Guizhou Governor Ortai, finding no funds for land reclamation in Yunnan and Guizhou, requested purchase regulations modeled on the colonization example. The emperor said: "Colonization regulations benefit the regions. Previously, because contributors under the various regulations had grown too numerous, selection had become difficult, and an edict halted them. In recent years the pool of purchased officials is nearly exhausted; in a few years there will be none left, and only examination graduates will remain. Additional purchase categories should be considered. Circuit intendants, prefects, and sub-prefects were barred from purchase; sub-circuit magistrates, department magistrates, district magistrates, and their deputies were to be considered for approval." The matter was referred to the Nine Ministers for implementation. In Yongzheng 12 (1734), the Henan grain-reserve transport purchase regulations were opened.
9
先是俊秀淮貢得輸資為教職。 已，慮異途人員不勝訓迪表率之責，康熙三十三年，令俊秀准貢捐學正、教諭者改縣丞，訓導改主簿。 雍正元年，諭「捐納教職，多不通文理少年，以之為學問優長、年高齒長者之師可乎？」 詔改用如前例。
Earlier, genteel youths eligible for tribute-student status could pay to obtain educational posts. Later, fearing irregular-route appointees could not bear teaching responsibilities, Kangxi 33 (1694) ordered genteel tribute students who purchased director-of-studies or instructor posts reassigned as county assistants, and assistant instructors as registrars. In Yongzheng 1 (1723), an edict declared: "Most purchased educational officials are illiterate youths—can they teach men of superior learning and advanced years?" An edict ordered reversion to the earlier practice.
10
高宗初元，詔停京、外捐例。 乾隆七年，上下江水災，命刑部侍郎周學健、直督高斌往同督、撫辦理。 尋合疏言賑務、水利需費浩繁，請仿樂善好施例，出資效力者，量多寡敘職官。 詔以京官中、行、評、博以下，外官同知、通判以下，無礙正途，如所請行。 嗣是上下江、直隸、山東、河南屢告災，輒徇臣工請，許開捐例。 十三年，進剿大金川，四川巡撫紀山奏行運米事例，部議運米石抵捐銀二十五兩，納官以是為差。 川陝總督張廣泗言：「軍前口糧領折色，石發銀五、六兩。 事例既開，各員以存米納捐，計貢監納即用同知不過千餘金，即用小京官不過數百金，請令如數交銀，以杜弊端。」 報可。 三十九年，再征金川，復開川運例。 惟四庫館謄錄、議敘等職，多靳不令捐納，餘得一體報捐。 貢監納道、府例，自雍正五年後，數十年無行者，至是復行。
At the start of the Qianlong reign, an edict halted purchase regulations in the capital and provinces. In Qianlong 7 (1742), floods struck the upper and lower Yangzi; Vice Minister of Justice Zhou Xuejian and Zhili Governor-General Gao Bin were sent to assist governors in relief work. They soon jointly memorialized that relief and waterworks would cost heavily and requested a charitable-contribution precedent, granting official ranks proportional to donations. An edict approved ranks up to central secretaries and compilers in the capital and sub-prefects and sub-circuit magistrates in the provinces, provided the regular route was not harmed. Thereafter floods and famine in the Yangzi regions, Zhili, Shandong, and Henan repeatedly led the court to grant ministers' requests to open purchase regulations. In Qianlong 13 (1748), during the campaign against Great Jinchuan, Sichuan Governor Ji Shan proposed grain-transport purchase regulations; the ministry set one shi of transported grain equal to twenty-five taels of silver, which contributors used as the standard. Sichuan-Shaanxi Governor-General Zhang Guangsi said: "At the front, rations were commuted to silver at five or six taels per shi. Once regulations opened, officials paid with stored grain; a tribute student buying immediate appointment as sub-prefect cost barely a thousand cash, a junior capital official only a few hundred—he requested requiring full payment in silver to stop abuses." The request was approved. In Qianlong 39 (1774), during the second Jinchuan campaign, Sichuan transport purchase regulations were reopened. Only Siku Quanshu copying clerks and merit-review posts were largely barred from purchase; all others could contribute. The rule allowing tribute and academy students to purchase circuit and prefectural posts, dormant since Yongzheng 5, was revived.
11
五十八年，詔曰：「前因軍需、河工，支用浩繁，暫開事例，原屬一時權宜。 迄今二十餘年，府庫充盈，並不因停捐稍形支絀。 可見捐例竟當不必舉行。 不特慎重名器，亦以嘉惠士林，我子孫當永以為法。 倘有以開捐請者，即為言利之臣，當斥而勿用。」
In Qianlong 58 (1793), an edict declared: "Purchase regulations were opened temporarily for military and river works needs—an expedient measure only. For more than twenty years the treasury has remained full, and halting purchases has caused no strain whatsoever. It is clear that purchase regulations should not be revived at all. This honors official ranks and benefits the scholarly class; our descendants should treat it as permanent law. Anyone who requests reopening purchases is a profit-seeking minister and should be rejected and never employed."
12
嘉慶三年，從戶部侍郎蔣賜棨請，開川楚善後事例，帝慮正途因之壅滯，飭妥議條欸。 尋議：「京官郎中、員外郎，外官道、府，有理事親民之責，未便濫予登進。 進士，舉人，恩、拔、副、優、歲貢，始許捐納。 非正途候補、候選正印人員，亦得遞捐。 現任、應補、候選小京官、佐貳，止准以應升之項捐納。」 從之。 嗣以河屢決，續開衡工、豫東、武陟等例。 十一年，定捐納道、府，系曾任知府、同知、直隸州知州并州、縣正印等官加捐，及現任京職，堪勝繁缺者，許以繁簡各缺選用。 其貢監初捐，及現任京職僅堪簡缺，並外任佐雜等官遞捐者，專以簡缺選用。
In Jiaqing 3 (1798), following Vice Minister Jiang Ciqi's request, Sichuan-Huguang pacification purchase regulations were opened; fearing blockage of the regular route, the emperor ordered careful drafting of provisions. Soon deliberation concluded: "Directors and vice directors in the capital and circuit and prefectural officials in the provinces bear governing responsibilities and should not receive indiscriminate advancement. Only jinshi, juren, and various tribute graduates were permitted to purchase offices. Those awaiting appointment outside the regular route for chief posts could also purchase in succession. Incumbent, awaiting appointment, and candidate junior capital officials and deputies could purchase only ranks they were eligible to attain." The regulations were adopted. Later, as rivers repeatedly breached their banks, Heng River works, eastern Henan, Wuzhi, and other purchase regulations were opened. In Jiaqing 11 (1806), purchased circuit and prefectural posts were limited to former prefects, sub-prefects, and chief county officials who made additional contributions, and to incumbent capital officials capable of demanding posts—each assigned to demanding or minor vacancies accordingly. Initial contributors among tribute and academy students, capital officials fit only for minor posts, and provincial deputies purchasing in succession were assigned exclusively to minor vacancies.
13
宣宗、文宗御極之初，首停捐例，一時以為美談。 自道光七年開酌增常例，而籌備經費，豫工遵捐，順天、兩廣及三省新捐，次第議行。 其時捐例多沿舊制，惟於推廣捐例中准貢生捐中書，豫工例中准增、附捐教職而已。 咸豐元年，以給事中汪元方言，罷增、附捐教職，其已選補者，不許濫膺保薦。 是年特開籌餉事例； 明年，續頒寬籌軍餉章程。 九年，復推廣捐例。 時軍興餉絀，捐例繁多，無復限制，仕途蕪雜日益甚。 同治元年，御史裘德俊請令商賈不得納正印實官，以虛銜雜職為限。 下部議行。 尋部臣言捐生觀望，有礙餉需，詔仍舊制。 四年，山東巡撫閻敬銘言：「各省捐輸減成，按之籌餉定例，不及十成之三。 彼輩以官為貿易，略一侵吞錢糧，已逾原捐之數。 明效輸將，暗虧帑項。 請將道、府、州、縣照籌餉例減二成，專於京銅局報捐。」 從之。 時內則京捐局，外則甘捐、皖捐、黔捐，設局遍各行省。 侵蝕、勒派、私行減折，諸弊並作。
At the start of the Daoguang and Xianfeng reigns, purchase regulations were halted first—praised at the time as enlightened policy. From Daoguang 7 (1827) adjusted standing regulations opened, followed in turn by fund-raising, Henan works compliance, Shuntian, Liang-Guang, and three-province purchase regulations. Most regulations followed old practice; only the extended regulations allowed tribute licentiates to purchase Secretariat drafter posts, and the Henan works regulations allowed supplemental students to purchase educational posts. In Xianfeng 1 (1851), on Supervising Secretary Wang Yuanfang's memorial, supplemental students' purchase of educational posts was abolished, and those already appointed were barred from indiscriminate recommendation. That year special fund-raising purchase regulations were opened; the next year expanded military-fund-raising regulations followed. In Xianfeng 9 (1859), purchase regulations were extended again. War had begun and funds ran short; purchase regulations multiplied without limit, and the official career path grew ever more chaotic. In Tongzhi 1 (1862), Censor Qiu Dejun requested barring merchants from purchasing substantive chief posts, limiting them to nominal ranks and miscellaneous posts. The ministry deliberated and implemented the proposal. Soon ministry officials reported that contributors were holding back, harming military funds; an edict restored the old system. In Tongzhi 4 (1865), Shandong Governor Yan Jingming said: "Provincial contributions are heavily discounted—less than thirty percent of the fund-raising standard. They treat office as commerce; slight embezzlement of taxes and grain already exceeds their original payment. They appear to contribute openly while secretly draining the treasury. He requested circuit, prefectural, departmental, and county posts follow fund-raising rates with a twenty-percent reduction, reporting exclusively to the Beijing Copper Bureau." The proposal was adopted. Within the capital the Beijing contribution bureau operated; outside, Gansu, Anhui, and Guizhou bureaus—and similar offices in every province. Embezzlement, forced levies, and private discounting flourished together.
14
光緒初，議者謂乾隆間常例，每歲貢監封典、雜職捐收，約三百萬。 今捐例折減，歲入轉不及百五十萬。 名器重，雖虛銜亦覺其榮，多費而有所不惜。 名器輕，則實職不難驟獲，減數而未必樂輸。 所得無幾，所傷實多。 停捐為便。 時復有言捐官宜考試，花翎及在任、候選等捐宜停者。 輒下部議。 五年，帝以捐例無補餉需，實傷吏道，明詔停止。 未幾，海疆多故，十年，開海防捐，如籌餉例，減二成核收，常例捐數並核減。 是時台灣甫開實官捐。 他如四川按糧津貼捐，順天直隸、河南、浙江、安徽、湖北各賑捐，戶部廣東軍火捐，福建洋藥、茶捐，雲南米捐，自海防例行，惟川捐如舊，餘或並或罷。 十三年，河南武陟，鄭州沁、黃兩河漫決。 御史周天霖、李士錕先後請開鄭工例，以濟要工。 部議停海防捐，開鄭工捐。 十五年，籌辦海軍，復罷鄭工，開海防新捐。 新捐屢展限，行之十餘年。 二十六、七年間，江寧籌餉，秦、晉實官捐，順直善後賑捐，次第舉辦。 江寧順直捐視新海防例，秦、晉捐但獎五品以下實官。 庚子變後，帝銳意圖治，言者多謂捐納非善政，詔即停止。 然報效敘官，舊捐移獎，且繼續行之。 但有停捐之名而已。
Early in the Guangxu era, critics noted that under Qianlong standing regulations, annual collections from tribute students, enfeoffment titles, and miscellaneous posts had totaled about three million taels. With purchase rates discounted, annual receipts now fell below one and a half million. When prestigious ranks carried weight, even nominal titles felt honorable, and people spent freely without regret. When ranks lost their prestige, substantive posts became easy to obtain; lower rates did not necessarily encourage giving. The revenue gained was slight; the damage to governance was substantial. Halting purchases was the better course. Proposals also circulated that purchased officials should take examinations and that peacock plumes and contributions by incumbents and candidates should be stopped. Each proposal was referred to the ministries for deliberation. In Guangxu 5, the emperor declared that purchase regulations did not aid military funds but harmed official conduct, and issued an explicit edict halting them. Soon maritime troubles multiplied; in Guangxu 10 coastal defense purchases opened, following fund-raising rates with a twenty-percent reduction, and standing regulation amounts were likewise reduced. Taiwan had just opened purchase of substantive offices. Other schemes followed—Sichuan grain surtaxes, relief contributions in Shuntian-Zhili, Henan, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Hubei, Guangdong ordnance funds, Fujian opium and tea levies, Yunnan rice contributions—all modeled on coastal defense regulations except Sichuan's, which continued unchanged; the rest were merged or abolished. In Guangxu 13, the Qin and Yellow Rivers burst their banks at Wuzhi and Zhengzhou in Henan. Censors Zhou Tianlin and Li Shijin successively requested opening Zhengzhou river-works purchase regulations to fund urgent repairs. The ministry halted coastal defense purchases and opened Zhengzhou works purchases. In Guangxu 15, to fund the navy, Zhengzhou works purchases were halted and new coastal defense purchases opened. The new purchases were repeatedly extended and operated for more than a decade. Around Guangxu 26–27, Jiangning fund-raising, Qin-Jin substantive-office purchases, and Shuntian-Zhili pacification relief contributions were launched in turn. Jiangning and Shuntian-Zhili purchases followed the new coastal defense rates; Qin-Jin purchases awarded only substantive offices of fifth rank and below. After the Boxer crisis of 1900, the emperor sought thorough reform; many declared purchase of office bad policy, and an edict immediately halted it. Yet rewarding service with official rank, transferring old contributions as awards, and similar practices continued. Halting purchases existed in name only.
15
武職捐，雍正初惟納千、把總。 乾隆九年，直賑捐有納衛守備者。 三十九年，川運例，參、游、都、守始得遞捐。 但武生、監生捐止都司。 嘉慶三年，川楚善後例，武營捐納，略如川運。 同治五年，閩浙總督左宗棠言：「閩省武營捐班太多，應嚴加區別，以肅軍政。」 並請罷武職捐，從之。 光緒二十一年，新海防例展限，議增武職捐。 於揀發外別立一班，俾捐輸踴躍。 三十一年，兵部奏：「開捐十年，入款僅十餘萬，無裨國帑，有兒營伍。 請將實官、虛銜捐復翎銜、封典一切停罷。」 報可。 捐例初開，慮其弊也，嘗設為限制，往往不久而其法壞。 康熙十八年，定捐納官到任三年稱職者，具題升轉，不稱職者題參。 然疆吏罕有以不職上聞者。 已，令道、府以下捐銀者免具題，照常升轉。 左都御史徐元文言：「國家大體所關，惟賢不肖之辨。 三年具題，所以使賢者勸，不肖者懼。 輸銀免具題，是金多者與稱職同科。 此曹以現任之官營輸入之計，何所不至？ 急宜停止。」
Military purchases: early in the Yongzheng era only platoon and company commanders could be bought. In Qianlong 9, Zhili relief purchases included garrison commandant posts. In Qianlong 39, under Sichuan transport regulations, brigade commanders through commandants could purchase in succession. Military students and academy students, however, could purchase only up to brigadier. In Jiaqing 3, under Sichuan-Huguang pacification regulations, military purchases followed the Sichuan transport model. In Tongzhi 5, Fujian-Zhejiang Governor-General Zuo Zongtang said: "Fujian has too many military purchase quotas; they should be strictly distinguished to restore military discipline." He also requested abolishing military purchases; the request was granted. In Guangxu 21, when new coastal defense regulations were extended, increased military purchases were considered. A separate quota was established beyond regular selection, to encourage eager contributions. In Guangxu 31, the Ministry of War memorialized: "Purchases have been open ten years; receipts total barely a hundred thousand taels, benefiting the treasury not at all and harming military units. We request halting all substantive offices, nominal ranks, restoration purchases, plumes, and enfeoffment titles." The request was approved. When purchase regulations first opened, restrictions were set to curb abuse—but they often broke down within a short time. In Kangxi 18, it was decreed that purchased officials after three years, if competent, would be memorialized for promotion; if not, impeached. Yet provincial officials rarely reported incompetence to the court. Later, contributors below circuit and prefect rank were exempted from the memorial requirement and promoted as usual. Left Censor-in-Chief Xu Yuanwen said: "The state's fundamental principle is distinguishing the worthy from the unworthy. The three-year memorial encourages the worthy and makes the unworthy fear. Paying silver to avoid the memorial equates wealth with competence. These men, scheming to pay from their incumbent salaries—what would they not stoop to? This practice must be stopped at once."
16
順治間，准貢、例監出身官不得升補正印。 康熙六年，定為保舉之法，各途出身官，經該堂官及督、撫保舉稱職者，升京官及正印。 無保舉者，升佐貳、雜職。 三十年，大軍征噶爾丹，戶部奏行輸送草豆例，准異途人員捐免保舉。 御史陸隴其言：「捐納一事，不得已而暫開，許捐免保舉，則與正途無異。 且督、撫保舉之人，必清廉方為合例。 保舉可捐免，是清廉可納資得也。」 又言：「督、撫於捐納人員，有遲至數年不保舉亦不糾劾。 乞敕部通稽捐納官到任三年無保舉者，開缺休致。」 疏下九卿，議：「捐免保舉，無礙正途。 若三年無保舉即休致，則營求保舉益甚，應毋庸議」。 隴其持之益堅，廷議隴其不計緩急輕重，浮詞粉飾，致捐生觀望，遲誤軍機，擬奪職。 帝特宥之。 自是吏員例監出身者，欲升補或捐納京、外正印官、必先捐免保舉，惟准貢獨否。 初，納歲貢者同正途，故捐免保舉例開，貢監雖同一捐納，而軒輊殊甚。 乾隆二十六年，部議御史王啟緒奏豫工例內，捐貢納京、外正印官，捐免保舉，如例監例。 先納官者，補行捐免。 不原者，以佐貳改補。 成例為一變矣。 漢軍捐納官，非經考試，不得銓選，如漢官保舉例。 康熙間，並准捐免。 六十一年，帝以捐納部員補主事未久即升員郎，外官道、府亦然，飭議試俸之法。 尋議郎中、道、府以下，小京官、佐雜以上，於現任內試俸三年，題咨實授，方許升轉，從之。 乾隆間，試俸復得捐免。 四十一年，戶部奏請保舉、考試、試俸、捐免例，列入常捐。 限制之法，至是悉弛。
During the Shunzhi era, officials from permitted-tribute and purchased-academy backgrounds could not be promoted to chief posts. In Kangxi 6, a recommendation system was established: officials of all backgrounds recommended as competent by department heads and governors could rise to capital posts and chief appointments. Those without recommendation were promoted only to deputies and miscellaneous posts. In Kangxi 30, during the campaign against Galdan, the Ministry of Revenue opened forage-transport regulations, allowing irregular-route officials to purchase exemption from recommendation. Censor Lu Longqi said: "Purchase of office was opened only as a last resort; allowing purchase of exemption from recommendation makes it no different from the regular route. Moreover, governors may recommend only officials who are incorrupt. If recommendation can be purchased, then integrity can be bought with money." He also said: "Governors often delay recommending purchased officials for years without impeaching them either. He requested that the ministry investigate all purchased officials without recommendation after three years and retire them from office." The memorial went to the Nine Ministers, who ruled: "Purchasing exemption from recommendation does not harm the regular route. If three years without recommendation meant retirement, scheming for recommendation would only increase; the proposal need not be adopted." Longqi held firm; the court ruled he had disregarded urgency, used empty rhetoric, caused contributors to hesitate, and delayed military affairs, and proposed stripping his office. The emperor specially pardoned him. Thereafter clerical officials from purchased-academy backgrounds seeking promotion or purchasing chief posts in the capital or provinces had first to purchase exemption from recommendation; only permitted-tribute graduates were exempt. Initially annual tribute graduates were treated like the regular route; when exemption purchases opened, tribute and academy students—though both purchased offices—were treated very unequally. In Qianlong 26, the ministry adopted Censor Wang Qixu's proposal that within Henan works regulations, tribute graduates purchasing chief posts must purchase exemption from recommendation like academy students. Those who had purchased earlier had to buy exemption retroactively. Those unwilling were reassigned to deputy posts. Established precedent was thus overturned. Banner contributed officials, without passing examination, could not be selected—like Han officials under the recommendation rule. During the Kangxi era, purchase exemption was also permitted. In Kangxi 61, because purchased ministry staff were promoted from section chief to vice director almost immediately, and circuit and prefectural officials likewise, the emperor ordered deliberation on probationary-salary rules. Soon it was decreed that directors, circuit and prefectural officials, junior capital officials, and deputies must serve three years on probationary salary before substantive appointment and promotion; the rule was adopted. During the Qianlong era, probationary salary could again be purchased away. In Qianlong 41, the Ministry of Revenue requested listing recommendation, examination, probationary salary, and purchase-exemption items in standing contributions. By then all restrictive measures had been entirely relaxed.
17
官吏緣事罷譴，降革留任，非數年無過，不得開復。 康熙間，大同賑飢，部議京察、大計罷黜者，悉予捐復。 徐元文力言不可。 議遂寢。 三十三年，河道總督于成龍以黃、運兩河，工費繁鉅，請仿陝西賑飢例開捐，革職、年老、患疾、休致人員得捐復。 帝面諭捐納稱貸者多，非朘削無以償逋負，事不可行。 尚書薩穆哈等議成龍懷私妄奏，擬褫職，得旨從寬留任。 乾隆九年，直賑捐，部議捐復條款，京察、大計及犯私罪者，降調人員，無論是否因公，及比照六法條例，武職軍政糾參及貪婪者，不準捐復。 因公罣誤無餘罪，悉得捐復。 三十五年，帝念降革留任人員，因公處分，輒停升轉，詔許捐復。 三十九年，川運例增進士、舉人捐復原資例。 四十八年，定革職、降調官，分段承修南運河工程捐復例。 嘉慶三年，川楚善後，推廣其例，凡常捐不準捐復人員，酌核情節，得酌加報捐。 奉旨，降革除犯六法外，因公情節尚輕人員，得加倍捐復。 大計劾參，有疾休致，調治就痊，及特旨降革留任限年開復人員，加十分之五捐復。 十年，部臣疏請於常例捐復外，增文、武大員捐復革職留任例。 帝曰：「大員身罣吏議應罷斥，經改革職留任，開復有一定年限。 若甫罹重譴，即可捐復，此例一開，亳無畏忌。 有資者脫然為無過之人，無資者日久不能開復。 殊失政體。」 不允行。 咸豐二年，王、大臣等議寬籌軍餉。 凡降革不準捐復人員，除實犯贓私外，餘准加倍半捐復。 降革一、二品文、武官，向不在捐復之列者，許捐復原官頂帶，允行。 但飭一、二品大員捐復原銜須請旨。 嗣復推廣，文職京察、大計六法，武職軍政被劾，無奸贓情罪，亦許捐復原銜。 終清世踵行，不復更也。
Officials dismissed, demoted, or dismissed-but-retained could not be restored without several years without fault. During the Kangxi era, for Datong famine relief, the ministry proposed granting restoration by purchase to all officials dismissed in capital and provincial evaluations. Xu Yuanwen strongly objected. The proposal was shelved. In Kangxi 33, River Conservancy Governor Yu Chenglong, citing vast costs for Yellow River and Grand Canal works, requested purchase regulations modeled on Shaanxi famine relief, allowing dismissed, aged, ill, and retired officials to restore by purchase. The emperor said in person that many purchased officials were in debt and could repay only by embezzlement—the proposal could not proceed. Minister Samuha and others ruled Chenglong had acted from private motives and proposed stripping his office; an edict leniently retained him. In Qianlong 9, for Zhili relief purchases, the ministry set restoration terms: officials dismissed in evaluations, private offenders, demoted personnel, and those compared to the six disciplinary statutes; military officials impeached in military evaluations and the greedy could not restore by purchase. Those faulted for public business without further crimes could all restore by purchase. In Qianlong 35, mindful that demoted-and-retained officials were often blocked from promotion for public-business punishments, the emperor decreed permitting restoration by purchase. In Qianlong 39, Sichuan transport regulations added restoration of original seniority for jinshi and juren. In Qianlong 48, dismissed and demoted officials were assigned sections of Southern Grand Canal works for restoration by purchase. In Jiaqing 3, for Sichuan-Huguang pacification, the precedent was extended: normally ineligible officials could have circumstances weighed and make additional contributions. By imperial order, apart from those guilty under the six statutes, demoted officials whose public-business faults were minor could restore at double the standard rate. Officials impeached in provincial evaluation, retired for illness and recovered, and those demoted-but-retained under special edict paid an additional fifty percent for restoration. In Jiaqing 10, ministry officials requested adding restoration for dismissed-but-retained senior civil and military officials beyond standing regulations. The emperor said: "Senior officials subject to censure should be dismissed; after demotion and retention, restoration has a fixed term. If they could restore by purchase immediately after heavy censure, once this precedent opened there would be no restraint whatsoever. The wealthy would instantly become blameless; the poor could not be restored even after long years. This would grossly violate proper governance." The proposal was rejected. In Xianfeng 2, princes and grand ministers deliberated expanded military fund-raising. All normally ineligible demoted and dismissed officials, apart from actual embezzlement, were permitted restoration at one and a half times the rate. First- and second-rank civil and military officials previously ineligible for restoration were permitted to restore their original rank insignia; this was approved. But first- and second-rank officials restoring original rank required imperial approval. Later this was extended: civil officials under the six evaluation statutes and military officials impeached without corruption were also permitted to restore original rank by purchase. This practice continued through the end of the Qing without further change.
18
捐納官或非捐納官，於本班上輸資若干，俾班次較優，銓補加速，謂之花樣。 康熙十三年，知縣得納先用、即用班，工部侍郎田六善極言其弊，謂宜停止。 三十三年，戶部議行輸送草豆例，台臣請增應升、先用捐。 御史陸機言：「前此有納先用一例，正途為之壅滯。 皇上灼見其弊，久經停止。 納先用者，大都奔兢躁進。 多一先用之人，即多一害民之人。 不待辨而知其不可。」 乾隆年事例屢開，惟雙月、單月，不論雙月選用及雙月先用，不論雙、單月即用等尋常班次。 蓋是時正途銓補，未病雍滯，無庸加捐花樣，納資者亦至是而止。 七年，部議鼓勵江省賑捐，各班選用特優。 道光年，增插班間選、抽班間選、遇缺、遇缺前等名目。 咸豐元年，省遇缺、遇缺前，而增分缺先、本班侭先。 三年，復增分缺間、不積班。 九年，先後奏設新班遇缺、新班侭先、分缺先前，分缺間前、本班侭先前、不論班侭遇缺選補等班。 推廣捐例，又有保舉捐入候補班、候補捐本班先用例。 花樣繁多，至斯已極。
Whether purchased officials or not, paying extra on one's quota to gain priority in selection and faster appointment was called a patterned contribution. In Kangxi 13, district magistrates could purchase prior-use and immediate-use quotas; Vice Minister of Works Tian Liushan forcefully denounced the abuse and urged stopping it. In Kangxi 33, the Ministry of Revenue implemented forage-transport regulations; censors requested adding promotion-eligible and prior-use purchase categories. Censor Lu Ji said: "A prior-use purchase regulation had previously blocked the regular route. The emperor had clearly seen its harm and long since halted it. Prior-use purchasers were mostly eager and impatient climbers. Each additional prior-use appointee was one more official who would harm the people. No debate was needed to see it was impermissible." During the Qianlong era regulations reopened repeatedly, but only for ordinary bi-monthly and monthly quotas—not the special prior-use or immediate-use categories. At that time the regular route was not yet congested; patterned contributions were unnecessary, and contributors went no further. In Qianlong 7, the ministry encouraged Jiangsu relief contributions with especially favorable selection priority. In the Daoguang era came inserted inter-quota selection, drawn inter-quota selection, vacancy appointment, and pre-vacancy categories. In Xianfeng 1, vacancy categories were trimmed while split-vacancy priority and full-quota priority were added. In Xianfeng 3, split-vacancy inter-quota and non-accumulating quota categories were added. In Xianfeng 9, a succession of new quotas was established: new-quota vacancy, new-quota priority, split-vacancy priorities, and regardless-of-quota vacancy selection. Extended regulations also added recommendation purchases into awaiting-appointment quotas and awaiting-appointment prior-use within one's quota. Patterned contributions had multiplied to their utmost extreme.
19
自籌餉例開，既多立班次以廣捐輸，復減折捐例以期踴躍。 時納捐率以餉票，成數或不及定額之半。 同治三年，另訂加成新章。 於是有銀捐新班、侭先、遇缺等項，輸銀不過六成有奇，而選用之優，他途莫及。 八年，吏部以銀班遇缺佔缺太多，擬改分班輪用，刪不積班，於新班遇缺上，別設十成實銀一班，曰新班遇缺先，是謂大八成花樣。 維時分缺先前、分缺間前、本班侭先前、新班遇缺、新班遇缺先，統曰銀捐。 而新班遇缺先最稱優異，新班遇缺次之。 序補五缺一週，先用新班遇缺先三人，然後新班遇缺及各項輪補班各得其一。 光緒二年，江蘇巡撫吳元炳言：「新班遇缺先、新班遇缺等班，序補過速，有見缺指捐之弊。 請停捐免試用例，以救其失。」 格於部議。 四年，實官及各項花樣一律停捐。 七年，御史葉廕昉復言：「近年大八成各項銀捐班次，無論選、補，得缺最易，統壓正途、勞績各班。 今捐例已停，請改訂章程，銀捐人員，祗列捐班之前。」 疏下部議。 然積重難返，進士即用知縣，非加捐花樣，則補缺綦難，他無論已。 十年，台灣海防相繼例開，三班分先、分間、侭先，復得一體報捐，而知縣並增海防新班。 十三年，鄭工新例增遇缺先班捐例等，大八成班次亦相埒，海防新例因之。 至二十七年，各項花樣隨實官捐並停。
Since fund-raising regulations opened, many quotas broadened contributions while discounted rates encouraged giving. Contributors often paid in supply certificates; actual amounts sometimes fell below half the fixed rate. In Tongzhi 3, new bonus regulations were issued. Silver-contribution new quotas, priority, and vacancy categories required barely sixty percent payment yet enjoyed selection priority no other route could match. In Tongzhi 8, the Ministry of Personnel, finding silver-quota vacancy holders occupied too many posts, proposed rotation and created a full-payment quota called new-quota vacancy priority—the great eighty-percent patterned contribution. Split-vacancy priorities, full-quota pre-priority, new-quota vacancy, and new-quota vacancy priority were collectively termed silver contribution. New-quota vacancy priority ranked highest; new-quota vacancy came next. In each five-vacancy cycle, three new-quota vacancy priority holders were appointed first, then new-quota vacancy and each rotating quota received one each. In Guangxu 2, Jiangsu Governor Wu Yuanbing said: "New-quota vacancy quotas appoint too quickly, encouraging contributors to target specific vacancies. He requested halting purchase exemption from probation to remedy the abuse." The ministry blocked the proposal. In Guangxu 4, substantive offices and all patterned contributions were uniformly halted. In Guangxu 7, Censor Ye Yinfang again said: "Recent great eighty-percent silver-contribution quotas obtain vacancies most easily and uniformly suppress the regular route and merit quotas. With purchase regulations halted, he requested revising rules so silver contributors rank only before the contribution quota." The memorial went to the ministry. Yet old habits died hard: jinshi immediate-appointment magistrates could scarcely obtain posts without patterned contributions, to say nothing of others. In Guangxu 10, Taiwan coastal defense regulations reopened; split-priority, inter-quota, and full-priority quotas could contribute again, and magistrates gained a coastal defense new quota. In Guangxu 13, Zhengzhou works regulations added vacancy-priority quotas; great eighty-percent quotas matched, and coastal defense regulations followed suit. By Guangxu 27, all patterned contributions halted along with substantive-office purchases.
20
初捐納官但歸部選，乾隆間，為疏通選途，許加捐分發。 二十六年，豫工例，京職郎中以下，得捐分各部、院。 外官道、府以下，得捐分各省。 三十九年，川運例，知州、同知、通判捐分發如舊。 知縣有兒正途補用，靳不與。 四十年，兵部侍郎高朴言：「捐班知縣，不許分發，恐有兒舉班。 查壬辰科會試後，揀選分發，已閱四年，湖北、福建均因差委乏人，奏請揀選，可見舉班漸已補完。 請變通事例，川運捐不論雙單月即用者，許一體報捐分發。」 部議如所奏行。 惟大省分發不得逾十二人，中省不得逾十人，小省不得逾八人。 雲、貴兩省需員解送銅鉛，雲南得分發二十人，貴州如大省額。 從之。 是年兵部奏請候補、候選衛守備、衛千總如文職例，加捐分發，隨漕學習。 明年，浙江巡撫三寶奏請教職捐不論雙單月即用者，設加捐分發，到省委用。 均報可。 川運例停分發，歸入常例報捐，為永例。 四十二年，以山東布政使陸燿言東省分發佐雜漸多，停布政司經歷、理問、州同以下佐雜官分發例。 四十六年，候補布政司經歷鄭肇芳等、候選州同張衍齡等具呈戶部，以投供日久，部選無期，各省佐雜班已疏通，請准報捐分發，為奏行如舊例。 嘉慶四年，給事中廣興請將俊秀附生報捐道、府、州、縣者，停銓實缺，准加捐分發。 責成督、撫試看三年，酌量題補。 帝以停選示人不信，令加捐分發，有礙政體，不允行。 道、咸間，增加捐指省例。 光緒四年，捐例停，而分髮指省以常例得報捐如故。 五年，御史孔憲以指省分發，流弊不可勝言，請罷之。 格部議，不果行。 八年，復申前請，部覆如議。 未幾，海防例開，仍准報捐。 時分發人員擁擠殊甚，疆吏輒奏停分發，期滿復請展限，各直省比比然也。
Initially purchased officials were selected only by the ministry; during the Qianlong era, additional payment for provincial dispatch was permitted to ease congestion. In Qianlong 26, under Henan works regulations, capital officials from directors down could purchase dispatch to various departments. Provincial officials from circuit intendants down could purchase dispatch to various provinces. In Qianlong 39, under Sichuan transport regulations, department magistrates, sub-prefects, and sub-circuit magistrates could purchase dispatch as before. District magistrates were reserved for the regular route and were stingily denied dispatch. In Qianlong 40, Vice Minister of War Gao Pu said: "Contributed-quota magistrates are denied dispatch for fear of harming the juren quota. Since the renchen-year metropolitan examination four years had passed; Hubei and Fujian both lacked assignees and requested selection—showing the juren quota was gradually filling. He requested flexibility: Sichuan transport contributors of all immediate-use categories might uniformly purchase dispatch." The ministry approved as proposed. Large provinces were capped at twelve dispatches, medium at ten, small at eight. Yunnan and Guizhou needed men to transport copper and lead; Yunnan received twenty dispatches, Guizhou the large-province quota. This was approved. That year the Ministry of War approved awaiting and candidate garrison commandants and company commanders purchasing dispatch and studying with grain transport, like civil officials. The next year, Zhejiang Governor Sanbao requested educational officials of all immediate-use categories could purchase dispatch and be employed on arrival. All were approved. Sichuan transport dispatch was halted and incorporated into standing contributions as a permanent rule. In Qianlong 42, because Shandong Commissioner Lu Yao reported too many dispatched deputies, dispatch of registrars and lower deputies was halted. In Qianlong 46, awaiting registrars and candidate deputies petitioned the Ministry of Revenue: after long waits with no selection, provincial deputy quotas were clear—they requested purchase dispatch, and the old rule was restored. In Jiaqing 4, Supervising Secretary Guang Xing requested genteel supplemental students purchasing circuit through county posts halt substantive selection and purchase dispatch instead. Governors were to observe them for three years before recommending appointment. The emperor held that halting selection showed distrust; permitting purchase dispatch harmed governance and was rejected. Between the Daoguang and Xianfeng eras, purchase for designated-province dispatch increased. In Guangxu 4, purchase regulations halted, but designated-province dispatch continued under standing regulations. In Guangxu 5, Censor Kong Xian, citing countless abuses of designated-province dispatch, requested abolishing it. The ministry blocked it. In Guangxu 8, the request was renewed; the ministry approved. Soon coastal defense regulations reopened and purchases were permitted again. Dispatched personnel crowded every province; governors repeatedly halted dispatch and requested extensions when terms expired.
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定例，捐納官分發各部、院學習三年，外省試用一年。 期滿，各堂官、督、撫實行甄別奏留，乃得補官。 嘉慶十六年，諭：「捐納員簽分部、院學習行走年滿，當詳加甄別。 近來該堂官於行走報滿人員，無不保留。 市恩邀譽，不顧登進之濫，可為寒心。」 道光八年，諭：「酌增常例報捐，分發人員為數更多，著各督、撫、鹽政留心察看，不必拘定年限，認真甄覈。」 然奉行日久，長官循例奏留，徒有甄別之名，不盡遵上指也。 咸豐七年，從御史何兆瀛請，詔各部、院考試捐納司員，察其能否辦理案牘。 尋兵部試以論題，御史硃文江以為言，詔切責之。 命嗣後毋得以考試虛文，徒飾觀聽。 外官分發到省，例由督、撫考試，分別等第，黜陟有差。 光緒初，各省遵例考試，顧雲南有咨回降調者。 五年，詔各省考試捐納人員，府、廳、州、縣試論一，佐雜試告示判語。 八年，閩浙總督何璟言：「閩省應試府、廳、州、縣百五十四員，鹽大使五十五員，佐雜五百九十六員，知府、直隸州知州、鹽大使取留十之五，同、通、佐雜留十之四。」 報聞。 三十三年，憲政編查館議覆御史趙炳麟疏，捐納道、府、同、通、州、縣佐雜未到省者，入吏部學治館肄業半年。 已到省，入法政學堂肄業，長期三年，速成一年有半。 尋議上考驗外官章程，各省遵章考試，間亦罷黜數人，以應明詔，而于澄清吏治之道無補也。
By regulation, purchased officials dispatched to capital departments studied three years; in provinces they served one year on probation. On expiry, department heads and governors evaluated them and memorialized retention before appointment. In Jiaqing 16, an edict declared: "Purchased officials completing departmental study must be carefully evaluated. Recently department heads retained every official reporting completion. Currying favor while disregarding indiscriminate advancement—this was chilling." In Daoguang 8, an edict declared: "With more dispatched personnel under adjusted standing contributions, governors and salt commissioners must observe carefully, not bound by fixed terms, and evaluate earnestly." Yet over time superiors routinely memorialized retention—evaluation existed in name only, not in practice. In Xianfeng 7, following Censor He Zhaoying's request, departments and courts were ordered to test purchased clerks on document handling. Soon the Ministry of War tested with essays; Censor Zhu Wenjiang complained, and an edict sharply rebuked them. Henceforth examinations were forbidden as empty formalities for show. Provincial officials were examined by governors on arrival, graded, and promoted or dismissed accordingly. Early in the Guangxu era provinces followed examination regulations, though Yunnan returned some with demotion. In Guangxu 5, an edict ordered provincial examination of purchased officials: prefects and magistrates wrote one essay; deputies judged proclamations. In Guangxu 8, Fujian-Zhejiang Governor He Jing reported: "Fujian examined 154 prefectural and county officials, 55 salt commissioners, and 596 deputies; prefects and salt commissioners were retained at fifty percent, sub-prefects and deputies at forty percent." This was reported to the court. In Guangxu 33, the Constitutional Research Bureau replied to Censor Zhao Binglin: purchased officials not yet in province should study half a year at the Ministry of Personnel's Governance Academy. Those already in province entered law schools for three years or an accelerated eighteen months. Soon examination regulations for provincial officials were adopted; provinces occasionally dismissed a few to satisfy the edict—but this did little to clarify official governance.
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貢監捐清初已行。 監捐沿明納粟例。 順治十二年，開廩生捐銀准貢例，從御史楊義請也。 十七年，禮部以亢旱日久，請暫開准貢，令士民納銀賑濟。 允之。 貢監例得考職，康熙六年，御史李棠言：「進士、舉人遲至十年始得一官，今例監考補中書，三年後即升部屬，應停罷。」 部覆如議。 自是貢監考職，祗以州同、州判、縣丞、主簿、吏目用。 初考職例行，各省監生或憚遠道跋涉，或因文理不通，多倩代頂冒者。 世宗深知其弊，特遣大臣司考試。 雍正五年，令與考者千一百餘人悉引見，時以頂冒避匿者九百餘人。 帝於引見員中揀選七十餘人，授內、外官有差。 乾隆元年，停考職。 三年，令捐納貢監如歲貢例，分別等第，以主簿、吏目考取。 捐監未滿三年者不與。 道光後，考職例罷。
Tribute and academy purchases were practiced from early in the Qing. Academy purchase followed the Ming grain-purchase precedent. In Shunzhi 12, granary students were permitted to purchase tribute status with silver, on Censor Yang Yi's request. In Shunzhi 17, the Ministry of Rites, citing prolonged drought, requested temporarily opening permitted tribute for relief contributions. This was granted. Tribute and academy students could take office examinations; in Kangxi 6, Censor Li Tang said: "Jinshi and juren wait ten years for a post, while purchased students become Secretariat drafters and ministry staff in three years—this should stop." The ministry agreed. Thereafter tribute and academy examination for office was limited to department assistants, county assistants, registrars, and clerks. When the rule first operated, students either feared distant travel or, being unlettered, hired substitutes. The Yongzheng Emperor knew the abuses well and dispatched grand ministers to supervise examinations. In Yongzheng 5, over eleven hundred examinees were presented; over nine hundred had used substitutes or evaded examination. The emperor selected over seventy and appointed them to capital and provincial posts. In Qianlong 1, examination for office was stopped. In Qianlong 3, purchased tribute and academy students were graded like annual tribute graduates and examined for registrar and clerk posts. Purchased academy students of less than three years were excluded. After the Daoguang era, examination for office was abolished.
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雍正間，帝以積貯宜裕，允廣東、江、浙、湖廣以本色納監。 乾隆元年，罷一切捐例。 廷議捐監為士子應試之階，請於戶部收捐，備各省賑濟，從之。 三年，詔復行常平捐監例，各省得一體納本色。 原定各省捐穀三千餘萬石，數年僅得二百五十餘萬石，復令戶部兼收折色。 十年，湖廣總督鄂彌達言：「捐監事例，穀不如銀。 銀有定數，穀無成價。 易捐穀為捐銀，倘遇荒歉，亦可動支採買。」 允行。 大學士等復言：「各省納本色，有名無實，請停止，專由部收折色。」 得旨：「各省收捐不必停，在部捐折色者聽。」 三十一年，以陝、甘監捐積弊最甚，詔停罷。 尋並罷安徽、直隸、山西、河南、湖南北，惟雲南、福建、廣東收本色如舊。 三十九年，陝西巡撫畢沅、陝總督勒爾謹請如例收納監糧，允之。 是年甘省奏報六個月內捐監萬九千十七名，監糧八十餘萬石。 帝疑之。 布政使王亶望主其事，私收折色，減成包辦，更虛報賑災，侵冒鉅款。 繼任布政使王廷贊知其弊，不能革。 事覺，置亶望、勒爾謹、廷贊於法，官吏緣是罷黜者數十人，報捐監生或加捐職官者，分別停科、罰俸、停選。 其後監捐無復納粟遺意矣。 貢捐屬常例，向於部庫報捐。 嘉慶間，疆吏屢以為請，輒阻部議。 十二年，部臣言庫帑充裕，請變通常例，各省一體收捐。 報可。
During the Yongzheng era, the emperor permitted Guangdong, Jiangsu-Zhejiang, and Huguang to pay academy fees in grain. In Qianlong 1, all purchase regulations were abolished. The court held that academy purchase was a step toward examinations; collection at the Ministry of Revenue for provincial relief was approved. In Qianlong 3, an edict restored ever-normal granary academy purchases; all provinces could pay in grain. Provinces were to contribute over thirty million shi of grain; in several years barely 2.5 million were collected—the Ministry of Revenue was again ordered to accept silver payments. In Qianlong 10, Huguang Governor-General E Miada said: "For academy purchases, grain is inferior to silver. Silver has a fixed rate; grain has no fixed price. Switching from grain to silver, funds could still be drawn to buy grain in famine." This was approved. Grand secretaries again said: "Provincial grain payments were nominal only—stop them and have the ministry collect silver alone." An edict ruled: "Provincial collection need not stop; contributors paying silver at the ministry were permitted." In Qianlong 31, because Shaanxi and Gansu academy purchases had the worst abuses, an edict halted them. Soon Anhui, Zhili, Shanxi, Henan, and Hunan-Hubei were halted too; only Yunnan, Fujian, and Guangdong continued grain collection. In Qianlong 39, Shaanxi Governor Bi Yuan and Shaan-Gan Governor-General Le Erjin requested collecting academy grain as regulated; approval was granted. That year Gansu reported 19,017 academy purchasers and over 800,000 shi of grain collected in six months. The emperor grew suspicious. Provincial Commissioner Wang Tanwang directed it, privately collecting silver at reduced rates, monopolizing contracts, falsely reporting disaster relief, and embezzling vast sums. His successor Wang Tingzan knew the abuses but could not stop them. When exposed, Wang Tanwang, Le Erjin, and Wang Tingzan were executed; dozens of officials were dismissed; contributors were barred from examinations, fined, or halted in selection. After this, academy purchase no longer retained the original intent of grain contribution. Tribute purchase fell under standing regulations and was reported at the ministry treasury. During the Jiaqing era, provincial officials repeatedly requested this but the ministry always blocked it. In Jiaqing 12, ministry officials cited a full treasury and requested all provinces uniformly collect tribute purchases. Approval was granted.
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此外尚有捐馬百匹予紀錄、運丁三年多交米三百石給頂帶之例。 其樂善好施例內，凡捐資修葺文廟、城垣、書院、義學、考棚、義倉、橋樑、道路，或捐輸穀米銀兩，分別議敘、頂帶、職銜、加級、紀錄有差。 餘如各省鹽商、士紳，捐輸鉅款，酌予獎敘。 皆出自急公好義，與捐納相似，而實不同也。
There were also regulations for contributing one hundred horses for merit records, and for transport workers delivering extra rice for rank insignia. Under charitable-contribution regulations, those funding repairs to temples, walls, academies, schools, examination halls, granaries, bridges, and roads, or contributing grain or silver, received graded rewards of merit review, insignia, nominal rank, grade increases, or merit records. Provincial salt merchants and gentry who contributed large sums also received discretionary awards. All sprang from public-spirited generosity; they resemble purchase of office but were in fact different.